TTC Cycle 12 - SMEP

[LSL0708]

Hi
I’m totally new to this but hoping to speak with people in a similar situation. I had the implant removed beginning of June 2019 and have had regular 28/29 day cycles since. But, 11 cycles in and no BFP Just read up on SMEP (Sperm Meets Egg Plan) and thought I’d give it a go this month. Is anyone else trying/tried this?

@LSL0708 thank you! Yes, cycle 1. Sorry to hear about your setbacks. Fingers and toes crossed things work out for you xx

Thank you! @Qwom

Thanks @LSL0708 :) I got a call today and my referral appointment will be end of Jan. Feels like a long wait but I suppose it will come around. It's cycle 15 for me now - can't quite believe it, though it does feel like a lot...

Sorry AF arrived for you, hard to be on cycle 18 :( Glad you didn't feel too bad, I know what you mean it's just what you come to expect now, though doesn't make it easier. Already a week into your next one, so as you say a week closer to your appointment.

Thanks for the positive story, it's really nice to hear things like that and remember that it can just happen, however unlikely it might seem. Let's hope it turns out like that for us both (though ideally in a bit less than 4 years!)

Welcome @Qwom! All the best with your cycle, let us know how it goes with SMEP.

Hey @Jh2019

Hadn't realised how long I hadn't logged on here for. I've been super busy! Good to take my mind off things a bit though.

So pleased you got your appointment through. End of Jan doesn't seem too long to wait either. How are you doing? How is cycle 15 going?

How are things with you @Qwom? Finding SMEP ok?

@LSL0708

Hey *@Jh2019*

Hadn't realised how long I hadn't logged on here for. I've been super busy! Good to take my mind off things a bit though.

So pleased you got your appointment through. End of Jan doesn't seem too long to wait either. How are you doing? How is cycle 15 going?

How are things with you @Qwom? Finding SMEP ok?

Hiya! I have name changed! _ It's going ok, I mean we've DTD frequently until post ovulation, then not so frequently. Actually not at all as OH had been away on work so on the count down to AF and trying not to symptom spot hither and thither... AF due 15th

How's things going with you?

Hi @LSL0708! Yes time has flown for me too actually, work is manic - but agree it's good to have a distraction. Cycle 15 was another disappointment unfortunately, AF arrived last Friday . It was a bit of a torment as it was a couple of days later than usual, but I never get my hopes up too much these days so I managed to pick myself up and move on fairly quickly. Just counting down to the appointment really, I know I shouldn't but it's hard not to...

How is this cycle going for you? Not long until your appointment now!

Best of luck @MamaMoonbeam, hope the wait goes quickly for you and ends in a BFP

Hey @MamaMoonbeam
Glad things are going ok for you. Wishing you lots of luck! Hope the next week goes quickly for you.

Sorry to hear cycle 15 ended in disappointment @Jh2019 Always worse when it comes a little late too as that glimmer of hope does start to creep in a bit. I'm glad you managed to pick yourself up quickly though. It's so hard not to count down the weeks. Hopefully being busy will help those weeks fly by!

Cycle is going ok. AF is due late next week. Although ovulation was later for me this month so AF might arrive later than normal too. Not holding out much hope, as usual. But I'm so busy with work and other things at the moment it's really helping to take my mind off it. Yes, just over 3 weeks to wait. I'm just hoping it isn't affected by lockdown 2.0.

@LSL0708 @Jh2019
Thanks lovely ladies, I have convinced myself it hasn't worked so just waiting for AF, which is like clockwork.

Im really wishing you both get your bfps soon 🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♀️ xx

Thanks @LSL0708 and @MamaMoonbeam Wishing you both the best and fingers crossed for your appointment @LSL0708. Not sure about yours, but mine is by phone rather than in person - so hopefully it will be less affected by lockdown measures than some other types of appointment..

Thanks both I really hope we can all share our good news soon!

Oh really @Jh2019? Mine is face to face. I haven't heard it's been cancelled or delayed yet so staying hopeful! Fingers crossed!

Well that worked! 😊 I am very surprised to be fair!

Omg! That's amazing! Congrats @MamaMoonbeam Such good news!

Thank you @LSL0708 ! I still can't believe it! xxx

Amazing news, congratulations @MamaMoonbeam!

Hey @LSL0708 how are things going for you? Time flies, didn't realise it was 2 weeks since we last messaged - I guess that means AF may have arrived for you by now? Hope you're doing ok. Mine is due Thur/Fri so we'll see, don't really get my hopes up these days though.

Looking forward to lockdown being over, though not sure how different it will be if there is a stricter tier system. Have you heard any more about your appointment? It seems more stuff is going ahead as normal in this lockdown, so fingers crossed that's the case for you.

Hi @Jh2019
Time really does fly! I hadn't realised it was that long either. AF arrived last Sunday, as expected. I've come to expect it now, so the disappointment is slightly easier to deal with. Strange, but things seem to affect me more during my cycle than actually when the bad news arrives... Going to go back to trying SMEP again this month so heading into the DTD marathon. How are you feeling? Fingers crossed AF doesn't arrive and this is your cycle.

I have my final accountancy exam on Thursday, so looking forward to getting that done and then for the end of lockdown and hopefully a normal-ish Christmas! But as you say, it may not change much with this new tier system. My appointment is still going ahead as far as I know. It won't change much imminently but will feel like things are progressing I suppose

@LSL0708 I’ve read the thread as I’m ttc after losing my premature son in February. It’s month 8 for us but I haven’t been ovulating the last few months. Anyway I just wanted to say I think you’re struggling more during your cycle bcos there’s still hope at that point. When your period arrives it’s almost a relief and then there’s no ‘am I aren’t I?’ Dance for the next two weeks at least.

Something I go through often now! Anyway, I’ll keep an eye on you guys’ journey & keep my fingers crossed. X

Hi @LSL0708, sorry to hear that AF arrived but glad you've managed to deal with it ok. Totally get what you mean, I also find it harder in other parts of the cycle sometimes - as Greenbks says, I think it's because when it arrives you at least have some certainty and can move ahead with the next cycle, rather than having that lingering hope and doubt. Good luck with the SMEP, and also with your accountancy exam! Sure you will rock it, and will be a real relief to have it all done

I'm feeling ok - bit anxious with the approaching AF due, and hit a bit of a low with a family pregnancy announcement earlier this week, but will do my best to just throw myself into work and I'll know soon enough.

@Greenbks, welcome and nice to hear from you. I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss, and sending you all good wishes for your journey. Have you spoken to the doctor yet about not ovulating for a while? Hope that sorts itself out. Fingers crossed for you and keep us posted xx

Hi @Greenbks and welcome 
So sorry to hear of your loss. I think you're definitely right about why I struggle more during my cycle. It's the hope!
Wishing you lots of luck on your TTC journey x

Thank you for the good luck wishes @Jh2019. It's been a busy week but it's done now so time to relax. How are you? Any sign of AF? x

Hi @LSL0708, well done on getting through the busy week and finishing your exam . That must be a relief, and hope you've enjoyed the well-earned relaxation this weekend. How is the cycle going? 2WW for you now right?

AF arrived on Thursday for me unfortunately. Don't know why, but this one hit me unexpectedly very hard and couldn't pull myself together. In my emotional state, I rashly decided that I just can't wait any longer for the next steps and booked us in for a private consultation. We've now got that on Thursday, with possibly a HyCosy to follow soon after.

I've been feeling a bit ashamed for 'giving up' on the NHS path and being impatient, particularly as it is only end of Jan that we would have to wait until. Trying to justify it in that I've just got a bonus from work that covers the cost, but still now my emotions have calmed down not sure if I've done the right thing. All a bit of a rollercoaster really! I'm sure if it wasn't for lockdown and the lack of much to look forward to I would have been better at waiting it out, but the prospect of hardly being able to see family or friends for a few more months just made end of Jan feel even further away.

Will let you know how it goes - and is it this week for your appointment?

Thanks guys.

@Jh2019, I think you’re doing the right thing. When you get a negative at the end of every cycle, two months to your NHS appointment can feel
Like a lifetime. We saw a private fertility specialist two weeks ago, we had our consultation and have been going in for follicular tracking to understand what is going on with my body. After our first follicle tracking scan I got a call to say our fertility appointment was booked in for December. I had been told by dr and bereavement midwife that it could potentially take another few months. We’ve decided to continue with the rest of the follicle tracking and it looks like My body is finally getting it together and I may ovulate this month- 6 days late! If that is the case, then great. At least my body is finally in tune. The dr will be able to confirm whether I have or not. Anyway, we also thought about the cost of going private but I’m glad we did as it’s identified late ovulation in this cycle and if I don’t ovulate then it’s confirmed that I am not ovulating.

Also, the first appointment with NHS fertility is a consultation and it’s not until a month or so later (since it’s dependent the cycle) the monitoring begins. So by the time you get to that stage you will be ahead with the private fertility clinic and those findings can feed into your NHS appointments with minimal delay. Hope that’s reassured you even a little!

Thanks @Greenbks, your message really helped me feel better about the decision. We had the consultation today, and definitely feel it was worth it - was good to get some reassurance about our existing results (as never actually discussed them with a doctor before), and I am hopefully going to be booked in for a HyCosy next week to check my tubes. Hoping we can get it in early in the week so it doesn't count us out on trying for this cycle!

Glad to hear you're getting some reassurance from the follicle tracking - any progress on that, or is it still too early to know whether you did ovulate? Got fingers crossed for you. And all the best for your appointment later in the month too - will be good to be able to go to that armed with some more information about where things are at with your cycles.

How are things with you @LSL0708, did you have your consultation yet?

Hey @Jh2019
Yes, into the TWW now. Feeling ok about it. Just trying to stay busy. Not that it's easy being stuck in tier 3!

Sorry to hear that AF arrived and it hit you hard  This is a really hard process and an emotional rollercoaster. I know exactly how you're feeling. Don't beat yourself up about going down the private route. You do what's best for you. Sending hugs 

I'm pleased the consultation went ok. Fingers crossed you get your HyCosy booked in next week too. It's all moving forward for you which is really positive and will hopefully help you feel a bit better.

Lots of luck with this cycle. I have my fingers crossed for you. Keep us updated with how you're getting on.

Hey @Greenbks
Glad to hear your getting somewhere with your follicle tracking. Hopefully you get the result you want and some reassurance your body is doing what you need it to. I have my fingers crossed for you.

Good luck for your fertility appointment. Let us know how you get on.

I had my appointment on Wednesday. Same as you @Jh2019 in that it gave me some reassurance about our results. Consultant had no worries at all about DP's 'borderline' result or my partial bicornuate womb. Which is really reassuring.
I'm having my tubes checked, so I need to book that in and they are checking the volume and quality of my eggs. So I had blood taken while there and I need to see the gp for more bloods to be taken in day 1-4 of my next cycle. DP has to go for another SA. It will be done by the IVF department so that they know what they're working with if it comes to that.
Next appointment will be in about 3 months as we should have all results by then. 3 months seems a while, but I know these things take time so I'm not feeling too bad about it.
All in all just feeling happy that there were no negative outcomes and we're now in the system and moving forward. It doesn't guarantee anything, but it certainly feels better knowing you're doing everything you can.

Let's just keep dancing girls

Hey @LSL0708, great to hear that you also got some reassurance from your appointment. All sounds really positive, and hope that moving forward with the tests will help pass the time nicely until your next appointment. Getting it done with the IVF department will hopefully be handy in cutting out the middle man and speeding things up if it does come to that. And of course will keep my fingers crossed for you this cycle and hope that none of it ends up being necessary!

I've had my HyCosy confirmed for Tuesday morning, so will let you know how it goes. It does mean abstaining until then, but hopefully will ovulate around Wednesday so should get at least one shot and not have to write off the whole cycle. The doctor did mention that some women have a boost in their fertility for the few cycles after the test ('clears out the system' as it were...), trying not to pin my hopes too much on that but would be a very welcome side effect if so!

Keep dancing indeed, sending all best wishes and thanks as always for the support

Hey @Jh2019

Yes, it does feel better knowing we have tests lined up etc. DP has his SA with the IVF dept next Thursday, so we shouldn't have to wait too long for that result. That was exactly my thinking. It's as if they're already prepping us up for if it's needed. Which is good. Hopefully saves some time.
Thanks for the well wishes. AF is due in a few days.

How did the HyCosy go on Tuesday? Did you manage to squeeze in DTD to catch ovulation? That would be an excellent side effect! I really hope that is the case for you. I have my fingers firmly crossed.

You're welcome Thanks for your support too. I look forward to the day that we can both share our good news x